SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 25

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO STUDY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND EFFECTS OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO THOSE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO'S BRIDGE TO SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND FOR SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN OTHER HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

     WHEREAS, an important goal of New Mexican parents is to send their children to college; and

     WHEREAS, education is a key to the state's economic competitiveness, and a more educated labor force would support New Mexico's future economic and social development; and

     WHEREAS, a college education is necessary for young people to gain financial security; and

     WHEREAS, higher education policy should ensure that educational opportunities are not limited by a family's income, race or ethnicity; and

     WHEREAS, fairness rests on equal access to the education needed for economic success; and

     WHEREAS, the cost of higher education continues to soar in New Mexico, and affordability limits access and equal opportunity; and

     WHEREAS, a 2.5 college grade point average previously required for the university of New Mexico's bridge to success scholarship program resulted in an increase of students attending college by up to six percent; and

     WHEREAS, the legislative lottery scholarship program has helped many disadvantaged students attend college; and

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico's bridge to success scholarship program provides one thousand dollars ($1,000) toward the first semester tuition for freshmen before the legislative lottery scholarship is awarded; and

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico's bridge to success scholarship program has used the same 2.5 grade point average requirement as the legislative lottery scholarship program, benefiting freshmen students of all backgrounds; and

     WHEREAS, the bridge to success scholarship program is under the direct control of the university of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico has the authority to provide for stricter eligibility requirements, including the minimum grade point average requirements for the bridge to success scholarship program; and

     WHEREAS, certain changes could impact the eligibility of many traditionally underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that during the 2014 interim, the higher education department be requested to examine eligibility requirements for the university of New Mexico's bridge to success scholarship program and any proposed changes to those requirements; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the higher education department be requested to study the eligibility requirements and any proposed changes to the requirements of similar programs in other higher educational institutions in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the higher education department be requested to study the effects of any proposed changes to the eligibility requirements, including student achievement and well-being, particularly with respect to students who come from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the higher education department be requested to prepare a report and present findings and recommendations to the legislative education study committee by November 1, 2014; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of higher education for distribution to the boards of regents of the university of New Mexico and the other higher educational institutions in the state.

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